Ace the pit bull is not only a great companion, but now he is also a hero. When Ace's teenage owner, Nick Lamb, went to take an afternoon nap two days ago, he was lucky to have Ace by his side.

Nick, 13 years old, was home alone when a fire broke out. He is deaf and uses cochlear implants—electronic devices that allow him to hear—but he had turned them off before his nap. So, he slept as the fire grew.

But two-year-old dog Ace was on duty and licked the boy's face until he woke up. Luckily, Nick remembered a fire safety lesson he learned in school about covering his nose and mouth with a t-shirt and finding the nearest exit. He made it out of the house safely with Ace by his side.

Did You Know?

The first pit bulls originated in England about 200 years ago and were probably a cross between two kinds of dogs: the English bulldog and the Old English Terrier.

In the early 1900s, some pit bulls looked after children, which earned them the nickname “nanny dogs.”

During World War I, the pit bull—known for being strong, smart, and loyal—was used to represent America on posters and postcards.

Pit bulls can be fun-loving companions, but they can also be a handful. Ask your parents to visit the ASPCA’s website to learn more about pit bulls and find out if they’re the right pet for your family.

Photo courtesy Indianapolis Fire Department

Fire Safety

Visit Ready.gov to learn how to make an escape plan with your family and what to do in case of fire.